CHLORIDE OF SODIUM.
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consisted of two drachms of muriate and two scruples of carbonate ofsoda to sixty ounces of water. It was at the temperature of 108° F. or110° F.” [Med. Gaz. vol. x. p. 257.) In another series of cases 40 lbswere injected in 20 hours ; 132 ounces in the first 2 hours ; 8 lbs. in halfan hour! {Med. Gaz. vol. x. pp. 379-80.) The immediate effects ofthese injections, in a large majority of cases, were most astonishing:restoration of pulse, improvement in the respiration, voice, and generalappearance, return of consciousness, and a feeling of comfort. In manyinstances, however, these effects were only temporary, and were followedby collapse and death. In some, injurious consequences resulted, asphlebitis {Med. Gaz. vol. x. p. 453), drowsiness, {ibid. p. 447), &c. Thereports as to the ultimate benefit of the saline treatment in cholera are socontradictory, that it is exceedingly difficult to offer the student a correctand impartial estimate of its value. That it failed in a large proportion-of cases, after an extensive trial, and greatly disappointed some of itsstaunchest supporters, cannot be doubted. {Med. Gaz. vol. x. p. 717.)Dr. Griffin {Recollections of Cholera, in Med. Gaz. vol. xxii. p. 319) statesthat all the published cases of injection which he can find recordedamount to 282, of which 221 died, while 61 only recovered: but hethinks that the average recoveries from collapse by this method of treat-ment “ far exceeded the amount of any other treatment in the same dis-trict and under the same circumstances.”
Common salt has been employed as an anthelmintic. For this pur-pose it is exhibited in large doses by the mouth, or, when the worms arelodged in the rectum, a strong solution is administered in the form ofenema. When leeches have crept into the rectum, or have been acci-dentally swallowed, a solution of salt should be immediately used. As achemical antidote chloride of sodium may be administered in poisoningby nitrate of silver. As an alterative and tonic it is useful in scrofulaand glandular diseases. As an astringent in haemorrhages, dysentery,and diarrhcea, it has been administered in combination with lime juiceor lemon juice {Memoir of the late Dr. Wright, p. 322).
As an external application salt has been used for various purposes.Thus, a saturated solution of salt, applied with friction, is employed, as acounter-irritant and discutient, in glandular enlargements and chronicdiseases of the joint; as a stimulant, it is rubbed on to the chest infainting and asphyxia. A solution of salt is employed for baths (coldand warm), affusion, the douche, &c. Its action is more stimulant andtonic than simple water, and the reaction or glow more rapidly and cer-tainly takes place. Consequently, the salt-water bath may be used for alonger period, without causing exhaustion, than the pure water bath. Itis a popular opinion, which is probably well founded, that patients areless likely to take cold after the salt-water bath than after the commonwater bath.
Administration. —As a tonic and alterative, the dose of salt is fromten grains to a drachm. As an emetic, from two to three table-spoonfulsin five or six ounces of warm water. As a cathartic, from half an ounceto an ounce. In the form of clyster, it is used to the extent of two oreven three table-spoonfuls. A solution of one part of salt in forty partsof water will form a bath of about the same strength as sea water.